Anonymous wrote:My MIL gave me an “extra” gift this year as well. It was clearly used lotion (was crusty at opening and missing some) and a mix of “not for resale” toiletry samples. Also clearly stated it was a Christmas gift.

I accepted graciously and will use the stuff (ok, maybe not the questionable lotion), but I couldn’t help but laugh. At least make sure the stuff isn’t blatantly used. That’s just odd. And no, money isn’t the issue.

I think I have you beat. My MIL once gave me a ziplock bag full of old hair scrunchies, with flowery patterns. Said something along the lines of: "I just got a hair cut, but your hair is still long". At first I didn't quite realized what those were, so I muttered my thank-yous and stuffed the bag into my purse. When I finally got to open the bag, the scrunchies smelled like old hair.

No, I wasn't laughing like you, OP, I wasn't a good sport. I was pissed. And money isn't the issue, either, the old witch's sitting on bazillions.

Ok

Anonymous wrote:My MIL gave me an “extra” gift this year as well. It was clearly used lotion (was crusty at opening and missing some) and a mix of “not for resale” toiletry samples. Also clearly stated it was a Christmas gift.

I accepted graciously and will use the stuff (ok, maybe not the questionable lotion), but I couldn’t help but laugh. At least make sure the stuff isn’t blatantly used. That’s just odd. And no, money isn’t the issue.

You sound like a good sport. I am laughing with you.

My MIL gave me an “extra” gift this year as well. It was clearly used lotion (was crusty at opening and missing some) and a mix of “not for resale” toiletry samples. Also clearly stated it was a Christmas gift.

I accepted graciously and will use the stuff (ok, maybe not the questionable lotion), but I couldn’t help but laugh. At least make sure the stuff isn’t blatantly used. That’s just odd. And no, money isn’t the issue.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So she gave you a shawl she found among her things that she thought you might like. She didn’t try to pass it off as a special gift, based on its presentation in a plain bag. Just because it’s not new doesn’t mean it’s not a gift. What am I missing? What’s the problem here?

Oh come on! She said it was Xmas gift, didn't give OP a gift at Christmas, and has a history of giving OP gifts that make it clear she thinks of her as an afterthought if at all. OP isn't saying that it's a deliberate nasty-gram; she's saying her MIL clearly telegraphs her lack of enthusiasm for her through these gifts, and it's unnecessary and hurts her feelings.

This is pretty much it. One year she gave DH a Costco pack of Sensodyne (toothpaste for sensitive gums), but it had two tubes missing and then taped shut with masking tape. She told him it was his Xmas gift. So I guess I shouldn't take it personally.

I'd love to get sensodyne. no dead weight loss. I have too many ugly scarves already.

As for MIL - just say thank you.

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:So she gave you a shawl she found among her things that she thought you might like. She didn’t try to pass it off as a special gift, based on its presentation in a plain bag. Just because it’s not new doesn’t mean it’s not a gift. What am I missing? What’s the problem here?

Oh come on! She said it was Xmas gift, didn't give OP a gift at Christmas, and has a history of giving OP gifts that make it clear she thinks of her as an afterthought if at all. OP isn't saying that it's a deliberate nasty-gram; she's saying her MIL clearly telegraphs her lack of enthusiasm for her through these gifts, and it's unnecessary and hurts her feelings.

This is pretty much it. One year she gave DH a Costco pack of Sensodyne (toothpaste for sensitive gums), but it had two tubes missing and then taped shut with masking tape. She told him it was his Xmas gift. So I guess I shouldn't take it personally.

Anonymous wrote:So she gave you a shawl she found among her things that she thought you might like. She didn’t try to pass it off as a special gift, based on its presentation in a plain bag. Just because it’s not new doesn’t mean it’s not a gift. What am I missing? What’s the problem here?

Oh come on! She said it was Xmas gift, didn't give OP a gift at Christmas, and has a history of giving OP gifts that make it clear she thinks of her as an afterthought if at all. OP isn't saying that it's a deliberate nasty-gram; she's saying her MIL clearly telegraphs her lack of enthusiasm for her through these gifts, and it's unnecessary and hurts her feelings.

Anonymous wrote:So she gave you a shawl she found among her things that she thought you might like. She didn’t try to pass it off as a special gift, based on its presentation in a plain bag. Just because it’s not new doesn’t mean it’s not a gift. What am I missing? What’s the problem here?

That's a good mindset. Don't think of it as an Xmas gift, since it wasn't presented as such. Just a gift. A new year gift, if that makes it more palatable.

Anonymous wrote:So she gave you a shawl she found among her things that she thought you might like. She didn’t try to pass it off as a special gift, based on its presentation in a plain bag. Just because it’s not new doesn’t mean it’s not a gift. What am I missing? What’s the problem here?

Give me your address and I'll send you all the crap in my closet I don't want.

Anonymous wrote:You said thank you?

Not yet. Trying to wait until I don't give a crap to text her thanks. Otherwise it might come out snarky.

So she gave you a shawl she found among her things that she thought you might like. She didn’t try to pass it off as a special gift, based on its presentation in a plain bag. Just because it’s not new doesn’t mean it’s not a gift. What am I missing? What’s the problem here?

You said thank you?

Yep, say thanks and forget about it. I've realized some people are just bad gift givers or don't care about holiday gifts.

Say thank you and carry on.

Even though we were together on Xmas, yesterday she gave DH a Xmas present to give to me when he went to her house for something.

It was a shawl wrapped in torn tissue paper and stuffed in a macy's shopping bag (not a gift bag, just a shopping bag). Surprisingly it didn't have the price tag like other gifts she's given me, but it does smell like moth balls.

That is all.